Help Me Develop Me

The purpose of this case study was to assess the effectiveness of practicum-based learning in college athlete development programming at a Division I institution. This case study featured a social cognitive career theory (SCCT) approach to understanding the experiences of 19 Division I collegiate athletes who participated in athlete-centric conferences for the first time. Athletes were interviewed both before and after the conferences. After data collection, the authors conducted a narrative analysis of their experiences to determine how well the athlete’s experiences fit within the SCCT model. The findings provide a case for developing a mandated policy for college athlete development frameworks featuring a practicum-based learning baseline and utilizing the SCCT framework for athlete development and advancement.